Joe Marler
Joseph William George Marler (born 7 July 1990) is an English professional rugby union player for Harlequins in the Gallagher Premiership playing primarily as a prop.[2]
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| Birth name | Joseph William George Marler | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 7 July 1990 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Eastbourne, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 120 kg (18 st 13 lb; 260 lb)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Heathfield Community College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Background
Marler was educated at Maynards Green Primary School and Heathfield Community College and began playing when 11 for Eastbourne Sharks. His stepping stones in the game not only include playing for Sussex Under 14-18 but also representing London & South East in 2006.
Marler started his career at Haywards Heath RFC in Sussex where he played in the same side as fellow England international Billy Twelvetrees.[3][4]
Club career
Marler joined the Harlequins Academy in 2008 and made his first team debut in the 2009-2010 season, after spending some time on loan to Esher and Worthing.[5] Marler has described his time in the lower tiers as a necessary learning curve that has allowed him to experience all the tricks of the trade at prop. He particularly points to the technical advice he received from one Bobby Walsh, a former coach, on scrummaging.[6] The knowledge gained at this level has allowed him to occasionally cover the tighthead side of the scrum. [7]
He played a crucial part in helping Harlequins to claim their first ever Premiership title by starting in their 2011–12 Premiership final victory over Leicester Tigers.[8]
Marler captained Harlequins for the 2014-2015 season, replacing Chris Robshaw due to his commitments as England captain in the 2015 World Cup year.[9] Marler then passed on the captaincy of Quins to teammate Danny Care in the following season.[10]
On 18 January 2016, Harlequins announced that Marler had signed a new contract to stay at the club. Marler commented on Twitter: "I'm a Quin. I love everything about the club, good and bad. I love every time I get to pull the famous quarters on."[11]
International career
England
Marler was captain for England at U18s level and represented the U20 squad throughout the Junior World Championship in summer 2009. He was called into the England squad for the 2010 end of year tests as injury cover for David Wilson and was then kept on alongside him in the squad, making his test debut as loosehead prop against South Africa in the summer of 2012.[5]
Marler was selected for the 2013 series against Argentina and then became a regular feature in the squad.[12]
On 26 September 2018 Marler announced his retirement from international rugby[13] but later reversed his decision, re-joining the England squad for the Rugby World Cup 2019, when England reached the Final.
In March 2020, Marler was banned from playing for 10-weeks after he grabbed Alun Wyn Jones' genitals during a Six Nations match against Wales.[14] As a result of the coronavirus lockdown, the ban ended without Marler missing any matches since every fixture that Marler could have played was postponed.[15]
In his International Rugby career, Marler has won over 60 caps for England.[12]
British & Irish Lions
On 19 April 2017, Marler was one of 41 players selected for the British and Irish Lions' tour to New Zealand in June and July of that year, making 5 appearances for the squad.[16]
Barbarians
Marler was recruited into the Barbarians squad in 2019, making his only appearance for the team against England on 2 June alongside team mate James Horwill who captained the team.[17]
Awards
2nd Place in the 2019 Rugby World Cup with the England Squad.
1st Place with his Harlequins team in 2009-2010,2012,2013.
References
- "Joe Marler". Harlequins website. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
- "PREMATCH INTERVIEW JOE MARLER". Harlekins twitter. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
- "FORMER HEATH COLT JOE MARLER NEW CAPTAIN AT QUINS". HHRFC. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
- "CONGRATULATIONS TO JOE MARLER AND BILLY TWELVETREES". HHRFC. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
- "Joseph William G. Marler". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
- https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9MX0dmQnAzNA/episode/YjdkY2Q5OWItZGQyNy00NzQ5LTg2MzItMjU0ZjlkZWQwMGVj
- https://inews.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/joe-marler-rugby-world-cup-2019-retirement-squad-england-decision-family-338632
- "Harlequins 30-23 Leicester". BBC Sport. 26 May 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
- "Marler in for Robshaw as Quins captain". BBC Sport. 4 August 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
- "Danny Care replaces Joe Marler as Harlequins captain". BBC. 19 August 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
- "England prop Joe Marler signs new contract with Harlequins". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
- "Joe Marler". www.quins.us. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
- Joe Marler: England prop retires from international rugby at 28, BBC Sport
- "Joe Marler: England prop banned for 10 weeks for genital grab". BBC Sport. 12 March 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
- "Joe Marler: England prop will not miss match during 10-week ban for genital grab". BBC Sport. 25 April 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
- "Lions 2017 squad announcement: Warburton captain, no place for Hartley – live updates!". The Guardian. 19 April 2017. Retrieved 8 May 2017.
- "Utterly different Joe Marler post-match interview sums up the true value of the Barbarians".